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In its natural environment, Japanese honeysuckle is common in the North Caucasus. The wild species gave rise to decorative varieties with different colors of flowers and leaves. Lianas are widely used for vertical gardening and creating hedges.
The culture is characterized by abundant and long-lasting flowering
Description of Japanese honeysuckle
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica) is a vine that grows up to 10 m in height. They strengthen the plant on supports, less often used as a ground cover option. The culture is characterized by intensive shoot formation; growth can be up to 0.5 m per season. The color of the flowers depends on the variety. There are white, cream, pink and red varieties.
The leaves are densely spaced, lanceolate, with a pointed tip, hard and glossy, the color depends on the variety. The plant is perennial and, with proper agricultural technology, decorates the site for more than 10 years.
Varieties of Japanese honeysuckle
Wild species are distributed mainly in the south of Russia and Asian countries. Poor frost resistance does not allow Japanese crops to be grown in temperate climates. In regions with cold climates, varieties adapted to Russian weather conditions are cultivated.
Japanese honeysuckle Aureoreticulata
The most famous and widespread variety in the Moscow region and the European part is Japanese honeysuckle Aureoreticulata.
Characteristics of the variety:
- the liana grows up to 4.5-5 m;
- flowering is long-lasting, single. Lasts from late spring to mid-summer;
- flowers change their initially white color to yellow;
- the peculiarity of the variety lies in the color of the leaves: an asymmetrical mesh pattern is located on a green background;
- The berries are black and not edible.
The variety may not bloom every year; the unusual coloring of the leaf blades makes it decorative.
The plant is characterized by average frost resistance, so in the fall the crown needs to be covered
Japanese honeysuckle Red World
A semi-evergreen vine that remains attractive until February. External characteristics:
- the shoots of the current season are thin, red-brown in color;
- an adult plant grows up to 6 m;
- leaves are ovate, buds bloom in April. The leaf blade is dark green with yellow veins;
- the flowers are arranged in pairs in the leaf axils of a bright red hue.The liana is completely covered with inflorescences that appear in May. The aroma is weak;
- the fruits are dark blue with a golden coating, edible.
Rel World is one of the frost-resistant varieties suitable for growing in Siberia
Japanese honeysuckle Purpurea
Purpurea is an evergreen vine variety. The leaves are bright green in spring, become darker in summer, and turn purple-purple in autumn. The main shoots of Japanese honeysuckle grow up to 4 m in length. Numerous tubular flowers have a red base and white petals when they appear, then turn yellow and have a strong aroma. The berries are black and not suitable for consumption.
Most of the leaves have a dark burgundy rim around the edge
Japanese honeysuckle Halls Prolific
Halls Prolific can be called short-growing, the length of the shoots rarely exceeds 2.5 m. The peculiarity of the variety is the formation of numerous shoots from the root. Flowering is later, but long lasting: from June to September. The flowers are small, densely arranged, and their color is whitish-yellow.
The plant is compact, very dense, suitable for hedges
Japanese honeysuckle variegated
The variegated variety is a semi-evergreen seedling with an attractive crown. The special value of the crop is its leaves and shoots. Stems are deep red. The color of Japanese honeysuckle is golden-network, does not change until the onset of frost, and over time the plate becomes slightly reddish.
Characteristics of the variety:
- The height of the dwarf form does not exceed 1 m. The plant is often used as a ground cover or for vertical gardening of low structures.
- The variety is suitable for growing in a container; it is used in the design of recreation areas and open verandas.
- The flowers are white at the top, purple at the base, and highly fragrant.
- Flowering later. Starts in June and lasts 30-40 days.
When grown using a trellis, the plant can reach 1.2 m. It constantly requires shaping, the stems grow chaotically. Of all the varieties, Variegated is considered the most decorative and versatile in use.
Suitable for creating arches or low hedges
Japanese honeysuckle honey vine
The variety got its name because of the unusual color of the flowers. They have a bright yellow hue and a sweet, persistent aroma. Honeysuckle grows up to 6 m, the annual growth is about 60 cm. Shoot formation is intense, the stems randomly intertwine, creating a continuous mass.
The leaves are round, large, dark green, becoming reddish in autumn.
The stems are tightly attached to a wall or fence using suction cups, covering them with a continuous carpet.
Honeysuckle Japanese Haliana
The variety of Japanese honeysuckle Halliana is one of the most common and in demand in Russia, because the main advantage of the species, in addition to decorativeness, is its high frost resistance. The plant calmly tolerates temperatures dropping to -40 0C.
Characteristics of the variety:
- this is one of the tallest varieties, which can grow up to 7-8 m;
- the plant is evergreen, the leaves are oblong, rich green, slightly darkening in autumn;
- the flowers are numerous, light yellow, with a pronounced citrus aroma;
- blooms from spring to autumn.
The crown is very dense, the annual growth is about 1 m. The berries are black and unsuitable for consumption.
In ornamental gardening, the variety is used to strengthen slopes
Planting and caring for Japanese honeysuckle
Japanese honeysuckle is native to warm climates, but the varieties created are adapted to the weather conditions of the temperate zone. The growth and flowering of the crop depends on the location on the site and subsequent agricultural technology.
Landing dates
The culture is characterized by early sap flow, so it is necessary to plant Japanese honeysuckle when it is dormant. The biological cycle slows down after fruit ripening. Spring planting in a temperate climate is impossible, because the soil will not have time to warm up enough to carry out the work. The optimal time is the end of August or mid-September. Before winter sets in, Japanese honeysuckle will have time to become sufficiently established to withstand frost.
In the South, planting in spring is possible, but time for establishment will be lost. The main part of the nutrition will go to the formation of the root system, and not to the green mass, so it is also better to place Japanese honeysuckle on the site in the autumn.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Decorative types of Japanese honeysuckle are distinguished by the varied colors of their leaves, for which they are valued in landscape design. To maintain pronounced varietal characteristics, the plant needs a sufficient amount of light. Honeysuckle reacts poorly to drying out of the earthen coma. It is better to set aside a place so that the crown is in the sun and the root system is in the shade.
The best option is the south side of the building.
The liana requires support, it also needs to be taken care of during planting
You can use Japanese honeysuckle as a ground cover plant, in which case it should have enough space for vegetation.
The composition of the soil is neutral, slightly acidic is allowed. If necessary, the reaction is corrected by appropriate means.The soil for planting is provided with good aeration and fertile. Loams are suitable, but on heavy or sandy soils honeysuckle develops much worse.
The crop does not tolerate soil drying out well, but the problem can be solved by watering. In waterlogged soil, honeysuckle will not grow at all. The development of diseases, root rot, and plant death are possible consequences of a wetland.
The site and pit for planting are prepared in advance or on the day of the work. The area is dug up and plant roots are removed. The depth of the hole can be calculated in the following way: measure the distance from the root to the neck, taking into account that it remains above the surface (4-5 cm). Add 15-20 cm to the drainage pad and 20 cm to the layer of soil mixture.
Landing rules
Japanese honeysuckle seedlings are purchased when they are two years old; it is better that the material is in a shipping container. If the root is open, it is first disinfected in a manganese solution and placed in Kornevin.
Sequence of work:
- Prepare a nutrient substrate consisting of equal parts of compost, turf layer or peat. Sand is added to clay soil. Add 2-3 tbsp. l. superphosphate.
- Part of the mixture is poured onto the drainage; if the root is open, then a small cone-shaped mound is made in the center; for a closed root system this is not necessary; the seedling is rolled over along with the earthen lump.
- Place the honeysuckle in the center, cover it with the rest of the nutritious soil, top it with soil, the neck remains on the surface.
The plant is watered and covered with mulch
To plant in a line, honeysuckle is placed in a trench at intervals of 2 m.
Watering and fertilizing
Japanese honeysuckle is not fed for the first 2 years. An adult plant begins to be fertilized when it enters the budding phase. In the spring, organic products and urea are added. In preparation for winter, fertilize with complex minerals and organic matter. Autumn feeding of Japanese honeysuckle is mandatory; it promotes the full formation of vegetative buds at the beginning of the season.
The plant needs basic watering in the first years, when honeysuckle grows its root system. Seedlings are regularly moistened with a small volume of water so that it does not stagnate in the soil. The main task is to prevent the earthen coma from drying out. Adult honeysuckle is watered based on the intensity of precipitation. Approximately, the plant needs 25 liters of water for 10 days.
Trimming
Japanese honeysuckle blooms profusely; flowers form on the top of annual shoots. Pruning in the spring is difficult; it is difficult to determine which shoots have overwintered normally until the buds open. At this time, only damaged areas are removed.
The main pruning is carried out in the autumn. In order to provoke branching in the spring, the stems on which there were flowers are shortened by 30 cm. The old branches are removed, leaving only skeletal vines. Perennial shoots do not produce fruit, but thicken the bush. In spring, the branches are directed to a support so that they do not get tangled. Old bushes are rejuvenated, the crown is completely cut off, skeletal vines are removed, replacing them with strong shoots.
Wintering
In the South, the plant overwinters without crown cover; Japanese honeysuckle is watered abundantly, fertilizer is applied, and the soil is mulched. In regions with cold climates, honeysuckle is covered for the first 3 years.During this time, the crop adapts to the temperature and will be able to overwinter without insulation. If the shoots freeze, it’s not a big deal; during the season the plant will form a full replacement, because honeysuckle has a high shoot formation. The main task in a temperate climate is to preserve the root.
Young vines require shelter for the winter:
- The stems are carefully removed from the support.
- The branches are pulled into a bundle and placed on boards or straw.
- The top is covered with spunbond and spruce branches.
How does Japanese honeysuckle reproduce?
Japanese honeysuckle is propagated by seeds if it is a wild species. Decorative varieties will not retain their characteristics using the generative method. The optimal vegetative option:
- The liana produces viable planting material when propagated by layering.
- You can plant honeysuckle on the site after dividing the mother specimen, but the method is labor-intensive, since the lashes can reach a height of up to 10 m, and only adult seedlings that are at least four years old are suitable for the procedure.
- The fastest and most productive way is cuttings.
Cuttings are cut from annual shoots, planted in a mini-greenhouse for rooting, the structure is insulated for the winter, and by the end of the next season they are planted in a designated place.
Diseases and pests
Japanese honeysuckle has a stable immune system; the plant only gets sick on waterlogged soils. With incorrect agricultural technology or an unsuccessfully chosen location, it is affected by a fungal disease (powdery mildew). Eliminate the problem with “Topaz”.
The fungicide is also effective for preventive purposes.
Among the pests on Japanese honeysuckle, aphids and scale insects parasitize. To combat them, Fitoverm is used.
The product is used to combat all types of insects that attack honeysuckle.
Medicinal properties of Japanese honeysuckle
The berries of Japanese honeysuckle are not suitable for consumption; they are inedible. If swallowed, may cause signs of intoxication: vomiting and stomach upset. The chemical composition of the plant contains substances that have medicinal properties:
- antibacterial;
- antipyretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antivirus.
Flowers and branches of Japanese honeysuckle are used in alternative medicine to make tinctures, decoctions, for oral and topical use in the treatment of the following diseases:
- viral seasonal infections;
- sore throat, pharyngitis;
- cystitis.
Remedies for skin pathologies, including purulent ones, are effective.
Conclusion
Japanese honeysuckle and its varieties are vines with a decorative crown. The plant is used to decorate a personal plot and decorate the walls of residential buildings. Honeysuckle does not respond to gas pollution in megacities. It can often be found in city recreation areas, parks, squares, kindergartens and playgrounds.
